In recognition of finite resource depletion and unsustainable pollution loading, there is an imperative to increase the efficiency of material use and re-use, from process- through to regional- scales. This imperative is increasingly reflected in regulation arising from the European Commission's "Circular Economy Acton Plan", and voluntary initiatives driven by sustainability benchmarking against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Construction sector dominates global material use by volume, and has a critical role to play in reducing material use directly, and also indirectly via provision of infrastructure needed to implement circular- and bio-based solutions throughout the wider economy, especially in relation to waste management and energy generation. Aims and objectives: Provide students with an understanding of the major human impacts on the global environment, and metrics used to measure these impacts; train students in application of life cycle assessment (LCA) to calculate the environmental performance of different products and (end-of-life) management practises; develop critical analytical skills based on systems thinking to determine effective circular economy solutions.

Introduction to the Planetary Boundaries concept of anthropogenic impact on the global biosphere. Overview of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as the predominant framework for Governments & Industry sustainability benchmarking. Comparison of Circular Economy concepts based on internal cycling within the technosphere and cycling between the biosphere and technosphere (bio-based products). Application of life cycle assessment (LCA) based on ISO14040 & ISO14044 standards, to evaluate the sustainability of different materials used in construction, with reference to construction-related LCA standards (EN15804 & EN15978) and an emphasis on end-of-life management of products. Critical evaluation of the environmental sustainability of technology and practises to manage waste streams within the wider economy, considering biological waste and plastic waste, alongside construction materials - with an emphasis on comparison of bio-based products with products based on abiotic resources. Through tutorial discussion and practical exercises using LCA software, students will evaluate and propose priority actions for the Circular Economy.

1. Summarise the main impacts of human activities on the global biosphere; 2. Explain the main policy drivers for the Circular Economy; 3. Calculate life cycle environmental burdens for different materials in the context of specific circular and bio-based use/re-use/recycling strategies; 4. Critically evaluate the role of different materials and waste management practises to meet Circular Economy objectives; 5. Propose engineering solutions for the Circular Economy; 6. Apply life cycle assessment models to quantify net environmental burdens arising from construction activities and different waste management strategies

7. Display a professional commitment to developing Circular Economy solutions

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The module will be taught in the context of best available scientific understanding of the main sustainability challenges at the global level, and pre-eminent sustainability accounting frameworks. Through lectures, tutorials and hands-on engagement with the life cycle assessment tools and datasets, students will develop a sound knowledge of engineering-based actions to develop a more circular economy. They will identify opportunities for responsible and pro-active sourcing of more sustainable materials and diversion of waste streams to increase circularity. Tutorials will be based upon contemporary scientific understanding of the sustainability advantages and disadvantages, in different contexts, of bio-based alternatives to abiotic resources (e.g. wood in place of steel). The module leader will engage students with latest research developments in the bio-economy, including his own nbioeconomy-LCA research in projects such as SeQUEsTER, C-MINUS, LoCAM, etc. Students will undertake collaborative practical work in teams to propose priority actions to increase the circularity of Ireland's economy. They will evaluate data on material flows within Ireland, using life cycle assessment tools to creatively identify solutions that will be articulated to their colleagues in end-of-module presentations. Critical analytical skills will be assessed in mid-module essays.